Since the Syrian conflict began in 2011, 11 million people have been internally displaced or have fled to neighboring states. This has put an incredible strain on the hosting societies, particularly in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey. The international community has dispatched more than $17 billion in funding to Syria Response Plans, 300 organizations have implemented projects, and thousands of people have been activated to assist both host communities and refugees themselves to cope with the circumstances.

What factors are complicating access to Syrian nationality and why is this a problem? Which children are most at risk of becoming stateless? What is the situation of refugees from Syria who were already stateless, prior to the conflict, and remain so in exile? How is the regional refugee response addressing these questions? What more could be done to mitigate the impact of statelessness on the refugees from Syria and protect the right of refugee children to Syrian nationality?

IN 2016, HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE PLANS (HRPs) in the MENA region requested US$7 billion and have received $2.6 billion. In total, MENA HRPs are 38 per cent funded. Three new FLASH APPEALS address specific situations: in Iraq where the humanitarian impact of the Mosul operation requires $284 million; in Afghanistan where $152 million is needed to assist returnees from Pakistan; and in Libya where $10 million is needed for Sirt.

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to introduce seven draft resolutions, including on tackling the human rights situations in Syria and Iran, as well as on measures to eliminate female genital mutilation.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)’s Financial Tracking Service (FTS), donors have committed/contributed US$1.94 billion of humanitarian assistance to Syria in 2016.

(Beirut) – Homemade landmines have killed and injured hundreds of civilians, including dozens of children, in Manbij, a city in northern Syria. The antipersonnel mines, often called improvised explosive devices, were planted by the extremist group Islamic State, also known as ISIS, which until recently controlled the city. Most of the mines appeared to be victim-activated and therefore banned under international law.

Over 10 million people are stateless worldwide, with no region of the world untouched by the issue. For stateless people, the lack of a nationality deprives them of rights that the majority of the global population takes for granted.

They are denied a legal identity at birth and often refused education and opportunity during childhood, and find themselves unable to marry or work legally in adulthood. Even the basic ability to reside lawfully in their countries of birth remains precarious.

Marking the anniversary of the UK’s decision to expand the resettlement programme for Syrian refugees (Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme – VPRS) announced in September 2015, UNHCR Representative to the United Kingdom Gonzalo Vargas Llosa said:

“Let this be the last,” said a heartbroken Abdullah Kurdi, after losing his wife and two children in a shipwreck off the Turkish coast one year ago. The family´s perilous journey in search of protection from the brutal war in Syria ended in tragedy.

Geneva (ICRC) - Tens of thousands of people are in need of urgent assistance in a border area between Syria and Jordan. They are living in extremely harsh conditions in a desert area known as 'the berm'. The vast majority are women and children, who are seeking sanctuary from the ongoing violence in Syria. The reticence by so many Governments to take in more Syrian refugees means that the fate of these asylum seekers hangs in the balance.

Introduction

For over a decade, the Global Risks Report series has shed light on the increasing interconnectedness and rapidly evolving nature of global risks. As of its 2015 edition, the Report has put forward actionable solutions to address global risks, the scope of which is beyond the domain of just one actor.

Concludes General Debate on the Promotion and Protection of All Human Rights

The Human Rights Council this morning heard an oral update by Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chairperson of the Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, followed by an interactive dialogue. At the beginning of the meeting, the Council concluded its general debate on the promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.

On April 4, 2016 the deportations under the EU-Turkey agreement began, with 386 people returned from Greece to Turkey over the course of the month. Pakistanis, Afghans, Sri-Lankans, Moroccans, and Bangladeshis were reportedly among those who were deported. Additionally, 135 Syrians were resettled from Turkey to European countries in April.